Bioscience Association of West Virginia
Group Forms West Virginia BioScience Association
Charleston, WV (Oct. 19, 2009) -- At a press conference here today, Gov. Joe Manchin joined a diverse group of public and private sector organizations in announcing the formation of a statewide bioscience association.
Manchin, who has supported the development of the association, said: “This organization will coordinate the exchange of ideas and research, develop new business relationships and expand efforts to attract economic development opportunities for the biosciences in our state.”
Derek Gregg is chairman of the board for the new group and chief operating officer of Vandalia Research, a biotech company in Huntington. "The BioScience Association of West Virginia comprises biotechnology, life sciences and biomedical research entities – collectively known as bioscience,” he said.
Gregg noted that there has been “tremendous interest” in development of the association and initial members of the association include both major universities in the state – WVU and Marshall - along with private sector biotech companies and the national trade association BIO (the Biotechnology Industry Organization.
“We are pleased to welcome the Bioscience Association of West Virginia as a new state affiliate organization,” said Patrick Kelly, vice president of State Government Relations for BIO. “West Virginia joins a broad network of states that have formed dedicated bioscience organizations. We look forward to working closely with Bio West Virginia to help promote bioscience industry development, champion science education, and help attract high-skill, high-wage jobs to the state.”
Kelly stated that West Virginia’s bioscience cluster has shown steady growth over the past decade and he praised Governor Manchin’s ‘Bucks for Brains’ initiative, a plan to stimulate hi-tech research at WVU and Marshall, and for giving the nascent industry “a tremendous shot in the arm.”
Gregg stressed that, while there has been excellent response to establishment of the association, the group will now embark on a formal membership drive. Companies and other organizations interested should contact him at (304-529-0803) or visit the website at: http://www.biowv.org/.